Manager, Innovation

• PositionManager, Innovation
• CompanyEvidence Action
• LocationMbale, Uganda
• Job TypeContract
• CategoryInternational Development Jobs in Uganda
• IndustryGlobal health and international development
• DepartmentSafe Water Now Innovation Team
• DeadlineNot stated in the advert.

Evidence Action is a global nonprofit that focuses on scaling health programmes supported by evidence and designed for cost-effective delivery. Its website describes work across Africa and Asia, using data to identify priority needs and track outcomes.

Its programmes include safe water, deworming and other health interventions. The Mbale vacancy sits within Safe Water Now and focuses on testing improvements to in-line chlorination as that approach grows.

As Manager Innovation, you will build and lead a dedicated team for the Safe Water Now programme. The team will plan and run short field pilots to assess changes to in-line chlorination device performance, operational costs and community engagement. Your work includes deciding pilot scope and success criteria, monitoring early evidence, checking measurement quality, and advising whether a test should be accelerated, changed or stopped. You will also develop technical familiarity with devices and infrastructure across programme settings.

The role translates programme priorities into testing plans, documents findings for operational guidance, and coordinates with Uganda, regional and global teams so innovation work supports rather than disrupts routine delivery. Direct reports are Senior Associate, Innovation and Learning, and Senior Associate, Innovation and Data Insights. Success is assessed through completed pilots, evidence-backed decisions and adoption of proven improvements, with a target of roughly two to three months per pilot. Mbale is the stated duty station, with regular field travel. Explore related international development jobs in Uganda and jobs in Mbale while reviewing the requirements.

• Design and execute short, focused field pilots that recommend whether innovations should be scaled into the broader In-Line Chlorination programme.
• Define pilot scope, success criteria and decision points, and monitor progress while improving pilot design and the intervention being tested.
• Use robust measurement protocols and routine field-data checks to support reliable data.
• Recommend accelerating, modifying or ending tests based on early signals rather than automatically running every pilot to completion.
• Serve as technical owner of in-line chlorination device performance and design, working with regional engineering teams.
• Build detailed familiarity with device types, infrastructure configurations and modifications used across countries to inform pilot priorities and new tests.
• Engage external technical experts and partners when needed to support device design and testing approaches.
• Help Global and Regional programme teams prioritise which innovations to test and in what order.
• Turn high-level priorities into test plans with timelines, resource requirements and decision points.
• Systematically document pilot results, operational learning and technical decisions for the ILC operational handbook and new-geography playbook.
• Manage the interface between the Innovation team and Uganda country team, communicating scope, timing and device-management changes.
• Ensure innovation work does not disrupt ongoing programme operations and produces useful outputs for programme teams.
• Coordinate regularly with Regional and Global teams on progress, findings and strategic direction.

Required Education

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, water sciences, environmental or applied sciences, economics, or a related field.
• A master’s degree in water systems, WASH, hydrology or technical research is strongly preferred.

Work Experience

• At least five years of demonstrable technical field operations and applied research programme management experience.
• Experience designing and executing pilots or structured experiments that led to operational changes at scale.
• Experience building and managing small, multidisciplinary teams, especially teams with technical field staff.

Additional Requirements

• A background in WASH, water quality or a closely related technical field; engineering training is strongly preferred.
• Ability to work across complex organizational structures and multiple stakeholders without a single reporting line.
• Comfort with ambiguity and rapid iteration, including launching activities quickly under time pressure.
• Strong documentation and communication skills for translating field findings into clear recommendations.
• Applicants must already be legally authorised to work in Uganda; the employer cannot sponsor or take over an employment visa.

Technical Skills

• Pilot design: Set test scope, success criteria, measurements and decision points.
• Water systems knowledge: Understand in-line chlorination devices, infrastructure and performance.
• Data fluency: Check measurement quality and distinguish meaningful results from noise.
• Documentation: Record evidence and decisions in handbooks, playbooks and recommendations.

Soft Skills

• Team leadership: Build and manage a small multidisciplinary team.
• Cross-team coordination: Align country, regional and global colleagues.
• Judgement: Use early field evidence to adjust, scale or stop pilots.
• Communication: Share clear, useful recommendations with different audiences.

Evidence Action lists comprehensive health insurance for employees and dependents, pension or retirement savings options, paid leave, and avenues for employee engagement and recognition.

• Build a dedicated innovation team for Safe Water Now.
• Lead rapid field pilots in Uganda.
• Own technical learning on in-line chlorination devices and performance.
• Shape decisions on whether tested improvements should be scaled.
• Coordinate directly with country, regional and global programme teams.
• Turn field evidence into operational handbooks and future-geography guidance.
• Work on a health programme focused on safe drinking water.
• Receive the benefits package described in the advert.

Apply online using the Apply now option on the official Evidence Action vacancy page. The advert states that applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and does not state a closing date. Applicants must already have the legal right to work in Uganda.

• Checked on 4 November 2026 against Evidence Action's official advert.
• No closing date was published. NextRoleHub rechecks the advert every 30 days and removes it once the employer closes it.
• The application link goes to the employer's own page or email. Applying is free; report anyone who asks for money.
• Before you apply, read our guide: How to find NGO jobs in Uganda. Work out your pay with the take-home pay calculator.